Washington spoils Pac-12 title hopes of rival, topping No. 18 Washington State 74-68

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) — Koren Johnson scored 23 points, Keion Brooks Jr. added 22 and Washington knocked off No. 18 Washington State 74-68 in the final Pac-12 Conference matchup between the cross-state rivals.

Johnson nailed a corner 3-pointer with 1:21 left that proved to be the final blow, putting the Huskies up 68-61.

Washington State (23-8, 14-6) failed to get stops at critical moments and shot 4 of 24 from 3-point range.

The Cougars were hoping for their first conference title since 1941. To get it, they needed a win and one Arizona loss in its final two games — or two Arizona losses. And by the time Washington State’s game against Washington was over, Arizona had built a big lead against UCLA.

As for the Huskies, they spoiled what had been a charmed season at home for the Cougars in the final meeting between the schools as members of the Pac-12. The hoops version of the Apple Cup is likely to continue, but it will be with the Cougars in the West Coast Conference and the Huskies in the Big Ten.

It was Washington’s first road win over a ranked opponent since beating Kansas on Dec. 6, 2017.

Washington (17-14, 9-11) used an 11-0 run midway through the second half to take the lead for good, which included a 3 from Brooks and Johnson’s jumper to make it 61-53.

The Cougars pulled to 63-60, but couldn’t get closer. Washington State struggled badly at the free-throw line, hitting just 8 of 17.

Isaac Jones led Washington State with 20 points but was 2 of 8 from the foul line. Leading scorer Myles Rice was held to eight points on 2-of-9 shooting.

Washington State shot 39% for the game and started 1 of 12 from behind the arc.

BIG PICTURE

Washington: The Huskies avoided for now their fifth straight season with at least 15 losses. This was sweet revenge after dropping an overtime game to the Cougars last month.

Washington State: The Cougars’ fourth straight slow start looked as though it wouldn’t come back to bite them. It was more a poor finish to the first half and lack of execution for the usually clutch Washington State guards that doomed the Cougars, putting a damper on what has been their best season since 2007-08.

UP NEXT

Washington: Plays in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament on Wednesday.

Washington State: Following a first-round bye, plays in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Tournament on Thursday, likely as the No. 2 seed.

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AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball